Gerald Harrison George Jr.
Jan. 21, 1936-June 5, 1958
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, June 5, 1958, page 1, col. 5, microfilm Niles District Library
Niles Young Man Dies After Fall From Jail Bunk
Coroner Says Heart Attack Caused Death of Gerald George, Jr., 21
A 21-year-old Niles man suffered a heart attack early today in Berrien County jail at St. Joseph where he was serving a 30 day sentence for reckless driving, and died before arrival at Memorial Hospital.
Gerald Harrison George, Jr., of 415 North Eighth Street was taken to the hospital at 6 a.m. And pronounced dead on arrival.
Berrien County Undersheriff Joseph Heward said a turnkey a the jail, Marvin Mitchell, reported George had fallen from his bunk at 5: 28 a.m. And requested assistance from sheriff's officers.
The officers found George unconscious in his cell, bleeding from a face cut. He was taken immediately to the hospital.
After an autopsy, County Corner[sic] George Dey ruled George died of a heart attack.
Niles Police arrested George last May 5, after an 80-mile-an-hour chase on US-31 South. They found George's car had no brakes.
When arraigned in Municipal Court May 6, George pleaded guilty to charges of reckless driving and driving with defective brakes. Judge Thomas W. Cain sentenced him to 30 days in Berrien County jail in lieu of a $50 fine.
Cass County sheriff's deputies reported that George was on probation after being convicted of breaking and entering a Dowagiac store in 1957, and had violated probation.
George's wife, Sharon, is living in Georgia.
Survivor's living in Niles are his parents, Gerald and Harriet George; his grandfather, James Hargreaves and seven sister and one brother, James.
The sisters are Mrs. Beverly Fowler, of 2015 Bertrand Road, and Florence, Patricia, Phillis, Sandra, Dorothy, and Harriet who live at the George home with their brother.
Another sister, Mrs. Eugene Beadle, lives in Marcellus.
George served three years and eight months in the Air Force, spending part of that time in the (continued on Page Two) Korean war. He was born January 21, 1936 in Niles.
Services will be at the Kiger and Halbritter Funeral Home at a time to be determined later. Burial will be in Silverbrook Cemetery. Friends may call at the funeral home beginning Friday.